Black Pond (2011)

An ordinary British family and their friend are accused of murder when a stranger dies at their dinner table. Black Pond is an existential comedy drama starring two-time BAFTA winner Chris ... See full summary »

Directors:

Tom Kingsley, Will Sharpe

Writers:

Tom Kingsley (story), Will Sharpe (story),

Stars:

Chris Langham, Simon Amstell, Amanda Hadingue

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Chris Langham	...	Tom Thompson
Simon Amstell	...	Eric Sacks
Amanda Hadingue	...	Sophie Thompson
Colin Hurley	...	Blake
Will Sharpe	...	Tim Tanaka
Anna O'Grady	...	Katie Thompson
Helen Cripps	...	Jess Thompson
Bernadette Russell	...	Mad Rita
Bonzo	...	Boy the dog
Arnab Chanda	...	Edward
Sophia Di Martino	...	Rachel
Arthur Tatsuki Sharpe	...	Hal
Elisabeth Vriend	...	Eve
Robert Harper	...	Pompous Reporter

Storyline

An ordinary British family and their friend are accused of murder when a stranger dies at their dinner table. Black Pond is an existential comedy drama starring two-time BAFTA winner Chris Langham and double British Comedy Award Winner Simon Amstell.

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Plot Keywords:

british | japanese | reporter | dog | color in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2011 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

an independent black comedy surely set for cult status

An incredibly impressive debut film from youthful newcomers Will Sharpe and Tom Kingsley. Black Pond is a delightfully grim black comedy about the Thompson family, who're embroiled in a tabloid scandal about the death of a new family friend. They say that truth is stranger than fiction and, while this IS fictional, it has a realistic plausibility and a documentary style which makes the almost farcical events seem hilariously absurd in contrast with the repressed sobriety of the upper-middle-class English milieu.

It's one of these films that will have you grinning like a Cheshire cat all the way through, giggling and snorting like a child who's just heard an old man fart during a quiet church service and eventually letting out a proper belly-laugh every now and then.

Colin Hurley, Amanda Hadingue, Simon Amstell, Will Sharpe (writer/director/actor) and the whole cast are excellent and Chris Langham makes a long-awaited return to film (with the controversy of his own personal ordeal with negative publicity perhaps adding its own somewhat dark undertone to the film – almost definitely NOT a conscious effort by the producers though!).

It's a fine example of typically British satirical wit and exemplary of the potential of indie cinema, considering it was made on tiny budget of £25,000. The lack of money means this film will only be seen by few people on its limited release, but as it gathers rave reviews and serious respect, it will no doubt earn cult status by the time it's out on DVD.

More like this and more from Sharpe and Kingsley please!

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